End the culture of silencing: Albania joins the 16 days campaign to end gender-based violence

Submitted by Webmaster on 5 December, 2018 - 11:42

Sunday, 25 November, 2018

United Nations agencies in Albania in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection launched the 16 days campaign against gender-based violence.

The National Council for Gender Equality in Albania launched the theme of the campaign "Orange the World: #HearMeToo". This is a call to listen to and believe the survivors, to end the culture of silencing and impunity, and to put survivors at the center of the conversation and response.

5 cities in Albania ”went orange” a symbol of the 16-day campaign calling to give an end to violence against women and girls. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Office of the President of the Republic in Tirana were illuminated in orange as well.

Parallel activities were also organized in Durres, Berat, Vlora and Roskovec where the municipalities of these cities conveyed the message of zero tolerance for violence against women and girls.

According to the most recent data from the reported cases, 74% of the victims of domestic violence in Albania are women. Based on the data from the last nine years, at least one woman is killed every month in Albania.

The Minister of Health and Social Protection presented the Model of the Crisis Management Center for Cases of Sexual Violence, that will be set up soon by the government with the support of the United Nations.

United Nations agencies have supported local communities and civil society to organize a myriad of activities focusing on preventing violence against women and girls. In Albania more than half of Albanian women (59.4%) experience at least one form of violence throughout their lives.

The World Bank in Albania illuminated in orange Gjirokastra castle, a UNESCO world heritage city.

The private sector also joined the 16 days campaign. Intesa Sanpaolo Bank building was illuminated in orange and the ATMs included messages to end violence against women.

This massive civic mobilization, under the orange color-which represents a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls, is part of the international UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place each year. It commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.